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Oceans Apart
A forgotten secret.
A shocking discovery.
A sacrifice of love that will bring Connor Evans to his knees.
Airline Captain Connor Evans has nearly forgotten that stormy weekend in Hawaii eight years ago when he broke the greatest promise of all. Now Connor has the perfect life with his wife, Michele, and their two daughters, and the secret of that long-ago time is his alone.
But an ocean away, a flight attendant is raising her young son by herself when the plane she's working on crashes into the Pacific. Her will is very clear about one thing—before the child can be given over to the state, his father must be contacted.
The news rocks Captain Evans' life, and in the process he is presented with a choice: Refuse the child and never hear from him again, or take him for two weeks and decide whether to claim the boy as his own.
Now, the family is on the brink of destruction. Can Michele and their daughters ever forgive Connor for what went wrong all those years ago? Or will the presence of one lonely child destroy everything?
A shocking discovery.
A sacrifice of love that will bring Connor Evans to his knees.
Airline Captain Connor Evans has nearly forgotten that stormy weekend in Hawaii eight years ago when he broke the greatest promise of all. Now Connor has the perfect life with his wife, Michele, and their two daughters, and the secret of that long-ago time is his alone.
But an ocean away, a flight attendant is raising her young son by herself when the plane she's working on crashes into the Pacific. Her will is very clear about one thing—before the child can be given over to the state, his father must be contacted.
The news rocks Captain Evans' life, and in the process he is presented with a choice: Refuse the child and never hear from him again, or take him for two weeks and decide whether to claim the boy as his own.
Now, the family is on the brink of destruction. Can Michele and their daughters ever forgive Connor for what went wrong all those years ago? Or will the presence of one lonely child destroy everything?
352 pages, Paperback
First published March 30, 2004
1595 people are currently reading
5240 people want to read
About the author
Karen Kingsbury
212 books12.2k followersKaren Kingsbury, #1 New York Times bestselling novelist, is America’s favorite inspirational storyteller, with more than twenty-five million copies of her award-winning books in print. Her last dozen titles have topped bestseller lists and many of her novels are under development with Hallmark Films and as major motion pictures. Her Baxter Family books are being developed into a TV series slated for major network viewing sometime in the next year. Karen is also an adjunct professor of writing at Liberty University. In 2001 she and her husband, Don, adopted three boys from Haiti, doubling their family in a matter of months. Today the couple has joined the ranks of empty nesters, living in Tennessee near five of their adult children.
See more at: http://authors.simonandschuster.com/K...
See more at: http://authors.simonandschuster.com/K...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 715 reviews
April 16, 2010
I seriously hated this book... but it was a book club pick so I read it.
The story is about an airline pilot who has a wife and two daughters and living a perfect life in Florida. But, his family doesn't know that he had a one-night stand eight years ago in Hawaii on a layover during a hurricane. What he doesn't know is that the chick got knocked up and he has a son. The woman gets killed in a plane crash - she's a stewardess still - and her will states that her son should spend two weeks with his father (not knowing he is his father but rather his mother's friend) and then the guy can decide if he wants to keep him or send him back where he'll become a ward of the state and hopefully be adopted. Knowing it is a Christian author, I bet you can't guess that it's a story about forgiveness. *gag* The convenient aspect is that the harlot stewardess was really a "good girl" who only ever slept with this pilot this one night and ended up pregnant. (Now it sounds like what my parents used to tell me when we'd have the 'don't have sex until you're married' talk... it only takes once!) Apparently she somehow fell in love with this one-night stand and pinned away for him and never loved anyone else. (Like that's realistic... NOT!) Now she is devoted to her son and God and thus the little boy is this bible reading 7-year old. Sorry, my eight year old isn't that advanced of a reader so I don't buy it!
The first problem was the preaching and heavy-handed shove-it-down-your-throat-on-every page religious bullshit. Seriously, I get that there is a market for people who want to read books with characters in them who share their religious beliefs. However, I do not believe there are any real people living who think or act like these characters did. The book was more like a sermon with a little bit of a story thrown in for entertainment. I knew this was a religious book going in and could have overlooked it.
But then there was this problem of bad writing. How the hell does drivel like this get published? And I heard this author was a bestseller... and it wasn't her first book? The characters were so shallow it was like little walking cardboard puppets on popsicle sticks. The dialogue by the little boy was done so it sounded like he was 5 instead of 7. And, the ending was so badly foreshadowed that I knew exactly what was coming from about the third chapter and just kept waiting for her to get to it already. The descriptions lacked depth - I still don't have a clear picture of what the two daughters even looked like nor most of the main characters. "Handsome" doesn't really tell me anything, does it? But go ahead and tell me he's handsome over and over again! (Show, don't tell, people! It's the first lesson an author should learn!) And the religious stuff wasn't even woven into the story. Just all of a sudden the character would be spouting off about how "I know this is God's plan" without the benefit of hearing the human struggle of deciding that's what they were going to choose to believe. Plus the preaching was so repetitive... find a new phrase because you used that exact one two paragraphs ago, lady! The actual content of the story could have been summed up as a short story but instead was drawn out far too long.
Skip this one... I wish I had!
The story is about an airline pilot who has a wife and two daughters and living a perfect life in Florida. But, his family doesn't know that he had a one-night stand eight years ago in Hawaii on a layover during a hurricane. What he doesn't know is that the chick got knocked up and he has a son. The woman gets killed in a plane crash - she's a stewardess still - and her will states that her son should spend two weeks with his father (not knowing he is his father but rather his mother's friend) and then the guy can decide if he wants to keep him or send him back where he'll become a ward of the state and hopefully be adopted. Knowing it is a Christian author, I bet you can't guess that it's a story about forgiveness. *gag* The convenient aspect is that the harlot stewardess was really a "good girl" who only ever slept with this pilot this one night and ended up pregnant. (Now it sounds like what my parents used to tell me when we'd have the 'don't have sex until you're married' talk... it only takes once!) Apparently she somehow fell in love with this one-night stand and pinned away for him and never loved anyone else. (Like that's realistic... NOT!) Now she is devoted to her son and God and thus the little boy is this bible reading 7-year old. Sorry, my eight year old isn't that advanced of a reader so I don't buy it!
The first problem was the preaching and heavy-handed shove-it-down-your-throat-on-every page religious bullshit. Seriously, I get that there is a market for people who want to read books with characters in them who share their religious beliefs. However, I do not believe there are any real people living who think or act like these characters did. The book was more like a sermon with a little bit of a story thrown in for entertainment. I knew this was a religious book going in and could have overlooked it.
But then there was this problem of bad writing. How the hell does drivel like this get published? And I heard this author was a bestseller... and it wasn't her first book? The characters were so shallow it was like little walking cardboard puppets on popsicle sticks. The dialogue by the little boy was done so it sounded like he was 5 instead of 7. And, the ending was so badly foreshadowed that I knew exactly what was coming from about the third chapter and just kept waiting for her to get to it already. The descriptions lacked depth - I still don't have a clear picture of what the two daughters even looked like nor most of the main characters. "Handsome" doesn't really tell me anything, does it? But go ahead and tell me he's handsome over and over again! (Show, don't tell, people! It's the first lesson an author should learn!) And the religious stuff wasn't even woven into the story. Just all of a sudden the character would be spouting off about how "I know this is God's plan" without the benefit of hearing the human struggle of deciding that's what they were going to choose to believe. Plus the preaching was so repetitive... find a new phrase because you used that exact one two paragraphs ago, lady! The actual content of the story could have been summed up as a short story but instead was drawn out far too long.
Skip this one... I wish I had!
June 23, 2008
i will not list all of Karen Kingsburys books, but if you pick up one of them, you will read them all, they are a great way to escape and find how people handle common crisis in life.Awsome author.
June 17, 2012
Had this book focused purely on Max's story, and cut down significantly on the shove-it-down-your-throat God/Jesus/Forgiveness stuff, I would have a) been able to finish it, and b) given it more stars.
Basic plot - in 1996, married pilot Connor Evans has a one night fling with air hostess Kiahana while they are both stuck in Hawaii. Kiahana has a son, Max, but doesn't tell Connor as she doesn't want to wreck his marriage. 7 years later, she dies in a plane crash. Her will includes a wish that before Max is placed in state care or adopted, he spend two weeks with Connor, but not be told he is his dad. Then if Connor wants to, he can keep Max forever. So Max goes to spend two weeks with Connor, who has to tell his wife Michele the truth about what happened that one night seven years ago..
Connor and Michele are proof that just because someone calls themselves a 'Christian' doesn't immediately make them a good or even a nice person. Connor is a typically arrogant pilot who convinces himself that the affair he has with an air hostess is not in the least his fault. However, beneath the arrogance I think he's actually an okay guy who really wants to do right for Max.
Michele is a horrible person. She's arrogant, self-obsessed, whiny, over-emotional, vain, nasty and mean. I think I was supposed to feel bad for her because her husband cheated on her, but I didn't. IMO, he should have divorced her and taken up with the air hostess Kiahna in Hawaii!
The constant God/Jesus/Forgiveness stuff was just too much, I get that this is a Christian book by a Christian author but in the name of God (heh, get the pun?) has she heard of SUBTLETY?
I thought Max was the best character in the book. He's sweet and funny and while I think Kingsbury fell down a bit on the language (sometimes she made him sound about 4 y/o rather than 7) I think she got the emotions and world-view of a 7 y/o kid whose life gets turned upside down in the space of a few hours very very well. Max has very strong faith, but with his character it came off as innocent and charming rather than forced like it did with the adults - especially Connor and Michele - in the book. Max seemed to handle the whole situation much more capably and maturely than the adults, and he's only 7 !
His dog Buddy is probably my second favourite character.
As much as I liked Max, I got to within 2 hours of the end of the audiobook version of this, and just couldn't stand the idea of another minute of Connor and Michele's near incessant whining and stupid, immature behaviour. Poor little Max, he loses his Mom and then he gets stuck with those two, and he can't even take his dog along.
Basic plot - in 1996, married pilot Connor Evans has a one night fling with air hostess Kiahana while they are both stuck in Hawaii. Kiahana has a son, Max, but doesn't tell Connor as she doesn't want to wreck his marriage. 7 years later, she dies in a plane crash. Her will includes a wish that before Max is placed in state care or adopted, he spend two weeks with Connor, but not be told he is his dad. Then if Connor wants to, he can keep Max forever. So Max goes to spend two weeks with Connor, who has to tell his wife Michele the truth about what happened that one night seven years ago..
Connor and Michele are proof that just because someone calls themselves a 'Christian' doesn't immediately make them a good or even a nice person. Connor is a typically arrogant pilot who convinces himself that the affair he has with an air hostess is not in the least his fault. However, beneath the arrogance I think he's actually an okay guy who really wants to do right for Max.
Michele is a horrible person. She's arrogant, self-obsessed, whiny, over-emotional, vain, nasty and mean. I think I was supposed to feel bad for her because her husband cheated on her, but I didn't. IMO, he should have divorced her and taken up with the air hostess Kiahna in Hawaii!
The constant God/Jesus/Forgiveness stuff was just too much, I get that this is a Christian book by a Christian author but in the name of God (heh, get the pun?) has she heard of SUBTLETY?
I thought Max was the best character in the book. He's sweet and funny and while I think Kingsbury fell down a bit on the language (sometimes she made him sound about 4 y/o rather than 7) I think she got the emotions and world-view of a 7 y/o kid whose life gets turned upside down in the space of a few hours very very well. Max has very strong faith, but with his character it came off as innocent and charming rather than forced like it did with the adults - especially Connor and Michele - in the book. Max seemed to handle the whole situation much more capably and maturely than the adults, and he's only 7 !
His dog Buddy is probably my second favourite character.
As much as I liked Max, I got to within 2 hours of the end of the audiobook version of this, and just couldn't stand the idea of another minute of Connor and Michele's near incessant whining and stupid, immature behaviour. Poor little Max, he loses his Mom and then he gets stuck with those two, and he can't even take his dog along.
August 6, 2019
Such heartbreak! I really felt such pain for all the characters. It’s so hard when good people make poor choices, but it does happen. Encouragement may be found in this book, because it reminds us that devastation and mistakes may be overcome with God’s guidance and help.
There were some awkward sentences using phrases like “made a little laugh,” “did a short cough,” and “did a cry.” The music in the audio distracted from the story.
Content: one expletive, poker (once), marital affairs (including a one-night stand), making deals with God
There were some awkward sentences using phrases like “made a little laugh,” “did a short cough,” and “did a cry.” The music in the audio distracted from the story.
Content: one expletive, poker (once), marital affairs (including a one-night stand), making deals with God
September 16, 2018
I read this book because it was a book club book, but it is very far from the type of book I would normally choose to read. It was very Christian and very cheesy, as you may guess from the cover design. This book tells the story of a pilot, Connor who had a one time affair with a flight attendant, Kiahna, 8 years ago which led to the birth of Max. Connor never new about Max until Kiahna dies in a plane crash and in her will, requests that Max goes to stay with his father for two weeks before he is put up for adoption. There were so many things I hated about this book.
My fist annoyances have to do with the plot - Why in the world would anyone (Kiahna and the responsible adults caring for Max after her death), think it is a good idea to send an 8 year old boy alone to stay with a man and his family who no one has met and Kiahna only knew for about 24 hours 8 years ago? And why would they send him ALONE on a PLANE one week after his mother died on a PLANE?! I'm sure that won't be traumatic in any way. And then Michele, Connor's wife, has the most ridiculous reaction to learning of the affair and Max's existence - the very first thing she says is "It was my weight, right? I wasn't thin enough?" Come on, really? And when she goes to friends for support, they help her to figure out that the affair was he fault not because she wasn't thin, don't worry, but because she didn't love Connor enough as she was going through depression. UGH! And then Connor and Michele have to decide if they are going to keep Max and somehow decide that God wants them to send him back, so BAM - decision made, he's sent back But, then Michele learns that Kiahna was a Christian woman who only ever slept with Connor, so BAM, God's plan changed and now Max is back in the family (because it's only okay to consider adopting Max if his mom only slept with one person). And again - don't worry, I'm sure none of this is traumatic for an 8 year old boy whose mom just died. And I sure hope God's plan doesn't change again and they have to send him back again....I know it's a Christian book, but all the God and Bible stuff just felt like an easy way to have the characters (who were about as well developed as a cardboard cut out of a human being) abruptly change and move the ridiculous plot along.
There were just so many ridiculous cheesy things that made me groan out loud. Like Max's best friend is his gold retriever named Buddy, and God Bless the USA just happens to be playing on the radio in the car, and at the cheesy happy ending they catch a butterfly- which is God's bestest artwork ..ugh, it was all just so cheesy and unoriginal. And when the story was told from Max's perspective, it was written in some weird juvenile way that sounded like a 4 year old talking with things like 'pology, instead of apology and his"bestest Mommy" and his "bestest friend Buddy" and his bestest Bible that he reads twice a day.
I could go on and on, but I'll stop there.
Oh one more thing I remembered that annoyed me - this line: "Her pants stopped short above the ankle, Capri pants, they were called, a way to dress for the increasingly warmer weather..." Come on, give the reader a little credit, we know what capri pants are!
My fist annoyances have to do with the plot - Why in the world would anyone (Kiahna and the responsible adults caring for Max after her death), think it is a good idea to send an 8 year old boy alone to stay with a man and his family who no one has met and Kiahna only knew for about 24 hours 8 years ago? And why would they send him ALONE on a PLANE one week after his mother died on a PLANE?! I'm sure that won't be traumatic in any way. And then Michele, Connor's wife, has the most ridiculous reaction to learning of the affair and Max's existence - the very first thing she says is "It was my weight, right? I wasn't thin enough?" Come on, really? And when she goes to friends for support, they help her to figure out that the affair was he fault not because she wasn't thin, don't worry, but because she didn't love Connor enough as she was going through depression. UGH! And then Connor and Michele have to decide if they are going to keep Max and somehow decide that God wants them to send him back, so BAM - decision made, he's sent back But, then Michele learns that Kiahna was a Christian woman who only ever slept with Connor, so BAM, God's plan changed and now Max is back in the family (because it's only okay to consider adopting Max if his mom only slept with one person). And again - don't worry, I'm sure none of this is traumatic for an 8 year old boy whose mom just died. And I sure hope God's plan doesn't change again and they have to send him back again....I know it's a Christian book, but all the God and Bible stuff just felt like an easy way to have the characters (who were about as well developed as a cardboard cut out of a human being) abruptly change and move the ridiculous plot along.
There were just so many ridiculous cheesy things that made me groan out loud. Like Max's best friend is his gold retriever named Buddy, and God Bless the USA just happens to be playing on the radio in the car, and at the cheesy happy ending they catch a butterfly- which is God's bestest artwork ..ugh, it was all just so cheesy and unoriginal. And when the story was told from Max's perspective, it was written in some weird juvenile way that sounded like a 4 year old talking with things like 'pology, instead of apology and his"bestest Mommy" and his "bestest friend Buddy" and his bestest Bible that he reads twice a day.
I could go on and on, but I'll stop there.
Oh one more thing I remembered that annoyed me - this line: "Her pants stopped short above the ankle, Capri pants, they were called, a way to dress for the increasingly warmer weather..." Come on, give the reader a little credit, we know what capri pants are!
January 23, 2014
I think my problem with this book was the overwhelming perfection of a woman who slept with a married man... she was perfection personified...in love with a man she slept with once....she never had another man after him...she birthed a perfect son..a 40 year old god trapped in a 7 year old childs body.. yeah thats the whole setup.... the paragon of virtue dies and it so happens his perfect mother seeing fit to never tell her "beloved" one night stand of her pregnancy she leaves a letter to him to keep their son (he has two daughters who don't seem to matter much as he apparently only wanted a son...and now he has one by the pargon of his one night mistress). Could not get past the perfection of both other woman and the perfect kid.. the book made the cheated upon spouse seem a shrew...i mean what owman would not welcome a child from a woman who slept with her cheating husabnd at her kitchen table every night. I agree the child is innocent however once he arrived the stupid anti hero only saw his son...his daughters and wife would just have to put up with him since it was HIS dream child. Now ther paragon apparently only thought he was separated...uh paragon..if hes still married your a slut to sleep with him...bible thumping aside. she assumed he was sepearetd not because he said so , but because he was cute and lived apart from his family and mistakenly started something with her and they both sinned...but in this story the only sin is the vile shrew who wont forgive him and take a child in. Pissed at reading it and reminded me of why i seldom read christian fiction...they never react the way real people do..no one would ever react like any of the characters in this book. The husband is so selfish and driven by a male heir that he is unlikable and pretty much thinks since he hasnt cheated again she should just forget it... he cares not what the child does to his other children..after all they are just worthless girls...sadly the only person i liked was the shrew...she at least acted like most humans...until she was shamed by her feelings. No i do not ever blame a child, but I cannot ever imagine watching my husband love a child that represented the worst of our marriage nor face the humiliation that would come in his showing up in our lives. I would have taken my duaghters and left him with his beloved son, even at the end he only saw his sons return as his life complete, her "forgiveness": was a means to the ends. disappointed and irritated, much prefer a non christian book as they tend to have "less perfect" real life endings.
November 15, 2016
Karen Kingsbury is a master storyteller and I cried way too often while reading this story of forgiveness.
While it was a capturing tale. I was disappointed when, as a reader, we learned what happened in Connor's past. I found it wanting, especially on Kiahna's behalf. I felt that Kingsbury had truly developed her character and then blew it apart in a very non-believable way. Yes, we are humans and we all have flaws, but even character's mistakes usually have a reason no matter how crazy or emotional.
For a character to do something so out of character and for no apparent reason (for none was given) is rather disappointing. After finding out the history of a major part of the story, I felt cheated as a reader. It was built up just to disappoint (not purposefully).
While I did feel let down, the story is still heart-warming, thought-provoking, and a good read. I do recommend it.
While it was a capturing tale. I was disappointed when, as a reader, we learned what happened in Connor's past. I found it wanting, especially on Kiahna's behalf. I felt that Kingsbury had truly developed her character and then blew it apart in a very non-believable way. Yes, we are humans and we all have flaws, but even character's mistakes usually have a reason no matter how crazy or emotional.
For a character to do something so out of character and for no apparent reason (for none was given) is rather disappointing. After finding out the history of a major part of the story, I felt cheated as a reader. It was built up just to disappoint (not purposefully).
While I did feel let down, the story is still heart-warming, thought-provoking, and a good read. I do recommend it.
March 17, 2018
This book sported the typical storyline of a cheating husband and a “Lord, please help me forgive so I can think I’m a better person and not merely stupid for—keeping my cheating and too overwhelmed with lust to use a condom husband so it’s a good thing the OW didn’t have a STD or I’d have it too—wife.”
She ultimately goes to get and agrees to raise his illegitimate child so I guess her ticket to heaven is non-refundable.
The writing was fine but the child’s religiosity was overdone. Really overdone.
She ultimately goes to get and agrees to raise his illegitimate child so I guess her ticket to heaven is non-refundable.
The writing was fine but the child’s religiosity was overdone. Really overdone.
May 21, 2015
This was a little predictable at times, but I appreciated the lessons that were woven into it. I especially liked a saying of one of the characters in the story - that love happens when you forgive. I haven’t read a Karen Kingsbury before, but it won’t be the last of hers I read.
February 13, 2018
Airline pilot Connor Evans and his wife, Michele, seem to have a perfect life. Then a plane goes down and a casualty is Kiahna Siefert, who leaves a seven-year-old son, Max.
In Kiahna's will she states that her desire is for Max to spend two weeks with his biological father.
The secret Connor had hidden for many years now explodes in his life.
My wife and I have fostered many children. Max reminded me of Ryan, a child we had in our home for several months. We instantly bonded and understandably felt crushed when he left.
I shed many tears over this book as it took me to those days of grief. The deepest love comes during the darkest times. God doesn't take us around the valleys. He takes us through, and that travel causes deep pain. Pain only he can make beautiful like he does with a caterpillar.
Love happens when you forgive. I can't say enough about this book. It'll change you forever as it did me.
In Kiahna's will she states that her desire is for Max to spend two weeks with his biological father.
The secret Connor had hidden for many years now explodes in his life.
My wife and I have fostered many children. Max reminded me of Ryan, a child we had in our home for several months. We instantly bonded and understandably felt crushed when he left.
I shed many tears over this book as it took me to those days of grief. The deepest love comes during the darkest times. God doesn't take us around the valleys. He takes us through, and that travel causes deep pain. Pain only he can make beautiful like he does with a caterpillar.
Love happens when you forgive. I can't say enough about this book. It'll change you forever as it did me.
September 7, 2023
🤨
I don’t know why I do this to myself. A selfish weak man who is not getting his way. His wife’s depression caused his demotion at his job his work forces time away from his family his overconfidence makes him make a mistake at work. . My gosh how do us mere mortal woman make it in life. I watched a movie similar to this book a while back and the only adult thinking male character of that movie was the child of the ONS. I’m a Christian but sadly based on this authors books I should go straight to H E double toothpicks. Because I wouldn’t have been so forgiving.
Reread and I stand by by original review I also want to add I don’t like using one’s belief in god to bully a person to do what you want.
I don’t know why I do this to myself. A selfish weak man who is not getting his way. His wife’s depression caused his demotion at his job his work forces time away from his family his overconfidence makes him make a mistake at work. . My gosh how do us mere mortal woman make it in life. I watched a movie similar to this book a while back and the only adult thinking male character of that movie was the child of the ONS. I’m a Christian but sadly based on this authors books I should go straight to H E double toothpicks. Because I wouldn’t have been so forgiving.
Reread and I stand by by original review I also want to add I don’t like using one’s belief in god to bully a person to do what you want.
Want to read
May 19, 2022May 19, 2010
This book wasn't about real people, it was about fake people! The author manipulated the characters to her ideal end. It was unnatural and unbelievable and preachy. I gave it a 2 because I like the premise of forgiveness, and the ideal end would have been what I wanted, if only the story had been told more realistically.
June 23, 2008
"Love happens when you forgive." This is an excellent message in another emotionally gripping book by Karen Kingsbury.
March 11, 2015
I gave this book five out of five stars, because it is a really good book. It also is really easy to read, but I recommend it to all girls, teenagers and adults.
I liked this book, because it has a very good theme behind it, and it was really easy to read, like all of Karen Kingsbury's books. This book is about Conner and his wife Michael, and how they have to get through their struggles, while eight year old Conner has to live with out his dead mom. All Conner wants is a dad, and his dog, but allot of forgiveness is needed. I like how this book changes point of views every chapter, so you know all of the main characters feelings throughout the whole book. I enjoy how this book references prayer, God and bible phrases, because it helps me with my own personal faith. I also like how all of Karen's books are inspirational, and how they quickly change you feelings from happy to sad all of the time. I hope you to read this great and inspiring book.
I liked this book, because it has a very good theme behind it, and it was really easy to read, like all of Karen Kingsbury's books. This book is about Conner and his wife Michael, and how they have to get through their struggles, while eight year old Conner has to live with out his dead mom. All Conner wants is a dad, and his dog, but allot of forgiveness is needed. I like how this book changes point of views every chapter, so you know all of the main characters feelings throughout the whole book. I enjoy how this book references prayer, God and bible phrases, because it helps me with my own personal faith. I also like how all of Karen's books are inspirational, and how they quickly change you feelings from happy to sad all of the time. I hope you to read this great and inspiring book.
October 31, 2016
Loved the story, and this book is a wonderful redemption story. It kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the book. At one point, I greatly feared it would go a different way, but Ms. Kingsbury gave me a fantastic ending. I listened to the audio version and the narrator is fabulous. Happy reading!
January 10, 2021
Amazing book with a profound message...loved it.
March 18, 2022
3.5 🌟
August 14, 2022
WOW!!!! Another great read by Karen Kingsbury. This one had my heartstrings, found myself with tears in my eyes are fully blown out crying. My heart went out to little Max, so much heartache. But i love how the family came together for him. I must say i didn't like Michele much, she was cold and selfish, i was glad she admitted that towards the end of the book. A book about forgiveness and love prevailing. Loved the ending.
April 5, 2024
After finishing this book, I went and looked at some of the reviews. I was shocked at the harsh judgments of not only Michelle, but also of the unveiled contempt for the basis of the story being rooted in faith, God and Jesus.
The gist of the story is that Connor (an airline pilot) had “an affair” (which in actuality was a one-night stand) with Kiahna (a flight attendant) eight years prior. The single night of infidelity produced a child, which changed the course of Kiahna’s life and she never told Connor because the morning after he told her he was happily married with two daughters. When Max (the child) was seven years old, Kiahna’s plane literally nose-dived into the ocean; there were no survivors. She had left a will asking that Max be sent for two weeks to stay with Connor and his family, after which Connor and Michelle would decide to adopt him or send him back and have no further contact.
The thing I liked most about this book was that it wasn’t presented from a single character’s point of view, including (albeit short) Kiahna’s. By writing it this way, the author helps us to understand and often empathize with each character and truly feel the angst, remorse, love and, yes, even their faith in God.
I think the best line from the entire book was “Love happens when you forgive.” Because this truly is a story of forgiveness (of self and others) and how the characters reach not only points of despair and self-loathing but ultimately true forgiveness and enduring love based on scripture and prayerful reflection.
It was worth the wait for it in my library’s e-app and I would recommend it to anyone struggling with how to forgive and love, despite all obstacles.
The gist of the story is that Connor (an airline pilot) had “an affair” (which in actuality was a one-night stand) with Kiahna (a flight attendant) eight years prior. The single night of infidelity produced a child, which changed the course of Kiahna’s life and she never told Connor because the morning after he told her he was happily married with two daughters. When Max (the child) was seven years old, Kiahna’s plane literally nose-dived into the ocean; there were no survivors. She had left a will asking that Max be sent for two weeks to stay with Connor and his family, after which Connor and Michelle would decide to adopt him or send him back and have no further contact.
The thing I liked most about this book was that it wasn’t presented from a single character’s point of view, including (albeit short) Kiahna’s. By writing it this way, the author helps us to understand and often empathize with each character and truly feel the angst, remorse, love and, yes, even their faith in God.
I think the best line from the entire book was “Love happens when you forgive.” Because this truly is a story of forgiveness (of self and others) and how the characters reach not only points of despair and self-loathing but ultimately true forgiveness and enduring love based on scripture and prayerful reflection.
It was worth the wait for it in my library’s e-app and I would recommend it to anyone struggling with how to forgive and love, despite all obstacles.
March 29, 2009
This book is really amazing. It makes you think more on the right and wrong decisions and it makes you think in faith and if your being loyal to a certain person. It could be a friend,a boyfriend or even a husband if you're married. In this book Conner Evans, a pilot, makes a poor decision that leads to a major concequence. He was a married man with children when he breaks the greatest promise he ever made. He had an affair with a flight attendant named, Kiahna Siefert. He never saw her again. But eight years later he receives a call related to her. Unfortunately she died when the plane she was on crashes in the pacific ocean. And she has left behind a seven year old boy named Max. Max is the son of Conner Evans. Her will clearly states that if she dies she would like Max to meet Conner Evans, though Max would go thinking he is a very special friend of his mom. She would like Max to stay with him and his family for two weeks, then they would have to decide if they want to adopt him because Mr.Evans is not named as his father in his birth certificate or if they want him to go to another family. Now Conner Evans has to make a decision if to keep his boy or to let him go in order to save his family from destruction. This book has to do a lot with religion the characters are Christians.
March 10, 2012
Connor Evans is an airline pilot who made a bad mistake. He had an affair with a Hawaiian woman named Kiahana during a stormy night. Eight years later, she dies in a plane crash leaving behind her seven year old son named Max. In her will, she has requested that Max spend two weeks with Connor, his father, before being handed over to the state for adoption. Connor and his wife Michele, did not know of this child until this point.
Will Connor and Michele open their hearts and their home to Max? Will Michele be able to live with Max since he is a constant reminder of the affair? Will their marriage survive this? You'll have to read the book to find out the answers.
This was another wondeful book by Karen Kingsbury! This was a difficult topic to explore. Personally, I don't know if I cold be as strong as Michele if it were me. It takes lots of love, forgiveness and faith in God to make it through it. This is also a reminder that God's plan for you may not be the same as your own plan.
Will Connor and Michele open their hearts and their home to Max? Will Michele be able to live with Max since he is a constant reminder of the affair? Will their marriage survive this? You'll have to read the book to find out the answers.
This was another wondeful book by Karen Kingsbury! This was a difficult topic to explore. Personally, I don't know if I cold be as strong as Michele if it were me. It takes lots of love, forgiveness and faith in God to make it through it. This is also a reminder that God's plan for you may not be the same as your own plan.
May 9, 2019
What a wonderful book!!! 5 stars from beginning to middle to end! It is a beautiful story about love, marriage, family, forgiveness and believing in God and God’s miracles. I had a very hard time feeling any sorrow for Connor since he cheated on his wife but then when I would read chapters with sweet little Max, it just made me wish for a happy ending for them all. It was a great book and I definitely recommend it for anyone that loves fiction with faith and God in it.
September 25, 2019
Kind of forced by book club on this one. It was ok, just really heavy handed religious advice...😅 I felt like the characters were relatable and I could empathize with the struggle they were going through. The voices on the audiobook were hard to listen to, though, which might also contribute to the 2 stars...
June 2, 2012
I stayed up all night and read this on vacation! Never cried harder in a book and I usually fall asleep reading - not stay up to finish the book - plus, I don't always like the tear jerkers... I found the faith that this little boy had so inspiring.
November 2, 2020
Emotional and inspiring read
Found it to be inspiring with it's lessons on love, forgiveness and second chances.
A reminder of God's love and forgiveness and how this should be extended to our family, friends and people in general
Found it to be inspiring with it's lessons on love, forgiveness and second chances.
A reminder of God's love and forgiveness and how this should be extended to our family, friends and people in general
March 12, 2024
10000000000/10 ⭐
THIS is an absolutely breathtakingly beautiful story about forgiveness and second chances. I can't express how much I love this book, and the feeling never goes away no matter how many times I read it 🥹 (this is reread #3 or #4 think :) )
Karen Kingsbury is the literal QUEEN of Christian fiction, "life changing fiction", and I will always love and gush and cry over them 🙌 Yes, be warned that if you pick this one up, NO ONE will be immune to the tears 😭🥲
An absolutely gorgeous piece of fiction that I will recommend to everyone!!!
I tell of hearts and souls and dances/of butterflies and second chances...
THIS is an absolutely breathtakingly beautiful story about forgiveness and second chances. I can't express how much I love this book, and the feeling never goes away no matter how many times I read it 🥹 (this is reread #3 or #4 think :) )
Karen Kingsbury is the literal QUEEN of Christian fiction, "life changing fiction", and I will always love and gush and cry over them 🙌 Yes, be warned that if you pick this one up, NO ONE will be immune to the tears 😭🥲
An absolutely gorgeous piece of fiction that I will recommend to everyone!!!
I tell of hearts and souls and dances/of butterflies and second chances...
March 11, 2025
This book was just so sad the whole time. It was an easy quick read so I’ll give it that. It was incredibly predictable but had a good message. I thought it was refreshing that the kid sounded like a kid. Too many books try to make the kids seem way too mature.
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